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“Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom” – Song of Solomon 2:15.

FOXES, AS CUTE as they may sometimes look, can prove to be a menace. Sly and slick in nature, they more often than not cause many a problem for urban and rural residential areas, whether it’s destroying farmland vegetation and livestock to residents having their lawns and flowerbeds dug up, garden pets attacked and killed and the threat of transmitting infections and diseases to people.

Foxes can generally be sighted from dusk till dawn and it’s in the quiet hours when they are most susceptible to creating havoc. These ‘quiet’ hours, of when we’re sleeping, are comparable to the moments we are oftentimes unconsciously aware of the grudges we harbour in our hearts toward others; we are not always aware of the walls we allow to be built, but little by little they surmount in our hearts.

This reminds me of what a dear Christian lady once shared with me many years ago in reference to the above verse from Song of Solomon. It was in relation to walking in the light with other believers, especially when distance was formed due to some disagreement or inactivity and unresponsiveness of another person that caused hurt. That hurt can turn into bitterness if not caught and anger can lead to sin if not controlled. “It’s the little foxes that spoil the vine”, she said, “The little, trivial and petty things in life is what causes the real problems and little as they may be at the beginning, it’s enough to spoil something beautiful in time… catch them… you may not be able to stop them coming into your garden but you can stop them from causing damage.”

There is healing peace that comes when we reconcile and put into the light of God our differences. The Holy Spirit broods over reconciliation and abides where there is harmony. Notice the next time you right your wrongs with another person and sense heaven coming down; it is hell on earth when we are trapped in bitterness.

The Holy Spirit does not depart from the redeemed but the consciousness of His presence can be removed when we are embittered toward another person. It is no wonder why the Apostle Paul wrote, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger and give no opportunity to the devil… do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by Whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:26, 27, 30-32). “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called into one body” (Colossians 3:12-15).